There’s something undeniably magical about wrapping yourself in the warmth of a hand-knitted blanket, but let’s face it – not all of us have the time or patience for the grand undertaking of these larger projects. This is where the charm of these 26 free lap blanket knitting patterns comes into play.

These smaller, more manageable knitting blankets offer all the coziness and charm of their larger counterparts but with a fraction of the time commitment. Lap blanket knitting patterns are a go-to in my book for both their versatility and practicality. They’re just the right size to keep you warm during those cold winter days, to add a touch of color and comfort to your favorite reading nook, or to provide an extra layer of warmth when you’re on the go, like at a sporting event. 

And if you are looking for wonderful, heartfelt gift ideas, then you have stumbled upon a treasure trove with these free lap blanket knitting patterns! Lap blankets, also called lapghans (or even lap afghan), are especially suited for folks who are wheelchair bound and for senior citizens, because of their manageable size. But they can really be appreciated by all ages. You could even make a few to donate to charity if you are so inclined. 

From classic cable pattern designs to colorful, modern creations, we’ve got free blanket knitting patterns for every skill level. So, whether you’re looking to make a thoughtful gift or simply want to spruce up your home with a touch of homemade charm, read on to discover the possibilities and inspiration behind these 26 lap blanket knitting patterns that are as quick to make as they are delightful to use.

Felicity Blanket

If you’re looking for a square blanket, this center out knit blanket is ideal. The pattern starts with the pinhole cast on, is worked in the round in stockinette stitch, and is finished with a 1×1 ribbed border. The designer used double strands of worsted weight yarn but the pattern is written to be worked with any weight and type of yarn. Whether you’re looking to make lap blankets, throw blankets, or baby blankets, the increases are worked to your desired size so you can make the perfect sized blanket.

Designer: Yarnique

Yarn: Lion Brand Yarn Mandala Ombre (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Simply Stripes Lap Blanket

Keep it simple with knit stitches and stripes with this easy blanket pattern. This garter stitch design is great project to reach for when you are in the mood for some TV knitting. The combination of wide and skinny stripes adds interest. I especially like the color palette of rich jewel tones that the designer chose. 

Designer: Elizabeth Smith Knits
Yarn: Berroco Vintage® Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Reversible Knit Lap Blanket

You never have to worry about differentiating the right side from the wrong side when you choose a reversible project, so it’s always a nice feature to have in a blanket. This attractive lapghan pattern is made using just knit and purl stitches. It looks like it’s worked diagonally but it’s actually just worked in normal rows.

Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free pattern!
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Super Easy Lap Blanket

Here’s another garter stitch design for you to warm up with. Easy designs like this are perfect for new knitters and for anyone looking for a mindless project to zone out with. Each skein of yarn is worked until you nearly run out of yarn and then a new color of yarn is used, so the design really maximizes the amount of yarn you have! 

Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Maxima (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Feather & Fan Lap Blanket

The pretty feather and fan stitch is a popular choice for lap blanket knitting patterns because it works up quickly and it packs a big visual impact. Choose a self striping yarn for a truly unique design. The resulting lapghan is lacy, lightweight, and perfect for transitional seasons like fall and spring.

Designer: Kathryn Still
Yarn: Caron Cakes (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cashews Lap Blanket

Working with two strands of category #4 weight yarn at once will have you finished with this lap blanket in half the time. The pattern has a simple 4 row repeat that calls for just knit and purl stitches. Best of all, the design calls for a budget friendly yarn that won’t break the bank.

Designer: Alice’s Embrace
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Knit Lap Blanket

Bold chevron stripes are a classic blanket style for a reason. This pattern uses all knit stitches (and no purl stitches) to get that gorgeous garter stitch texture. Knit front back stitches are used to increase the stitch count and form the peaks of the chevrons while knit 2 together decreases form the valleys of the chevrons. 

Designer: The Sweater Collective
Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 10 ply (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Textured Lap Throw

Bulky weight yarn provides the stitch definition necessary to really pull off this symphony of texture. The pattern only calls for knit and purl stitches but it keeps things interesting with a 32 row repeat. Satisfying textures of checkerboards, arrows, and lines will reveal themselves as you knit.

Designer: Lorna Miser for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Pacific® Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knit blanket pattern!
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Caden Lap Blanket

There’s something inherently satisfying about the geometric nature of the next one of our lap blanket knitting patterns. This easy pattern has a 20 row repeat consisting of just knit and purl stitches. It can be worked double stranded using worsted weight yarn or it can be worked using a single strand of bulky weight yarn.

Designer: Alice’s Embrace
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Solids & Heathers (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sporty Lap Blanket

Show off your team spirit by making this lap blanket in your team’s colors. Smooth stockinette stitch stripes create visual interest and are bordered on 4 sides by swaths of gather stitch. The garter stitch sections on either side are worked by picking up stitches along the short sides of the stripes. 

Designer: Stacey Winklepleck for Knit Picks
Yarn: Knit Picks Mighty Stitch (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Taos Lap Blanket

The native american inspiration for this next design is sure to make a big visual statement in your living space. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with a combination of stranded and intarsia colorwork. Best of all, proceeds from the pdf version of the pattern benefit a native american charity. A free version is also available.

Designer: Two of Wands
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mediterranean Seas Blanket

You’re certainly not going to get bored while whipping up this delightful design! The pattern really keeps you on your toes with the pretty lace stitch pattern that includes special stitches like SSK and PSSO. You’ll need to be comfortable reading charts in order to make this lovely lap blanket.

Designer: Little Brown Sheep Designs
Yarn: Anzula Ava (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Tumbling Blocks Lapghan

Lap blanket knitting patterns with optical illusions are adored by folks of all ages for the funny little tricks they play on your eyes. For this design, you’ll be using knit and purl stitches to recreate the optical illusion of these tumbling blocks over a 24 row repeat.

Designer: Cascade Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cascade 220® Superwash Aran (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cable Lapghan

If you are really looking to impress, then cables are always a good choice. They make a big visual impact to instantly elevate any project from “just ok” to “wow!”. This relaxingly repetitive pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with cushy 8 stitch cables. Doesn’t it just make you want to squish it?

Designer: Red Heart Design Team
Yarn: Red Heart Heat Wave (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Lattice Brioche Lapghan

Squishy brioche knitting is a great choice for luxurious lap blanket projects. This pattern employs the use of 2 color brioche stitch and brioche decreases. You will be happy to note that the design is reversible as it looks equally attractive from either side.

Designer: ABC Knitting Patterns
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Spiral Knit Lapghan

This unique lap blanket design is worked from the center out starting with 4 central square motifs and then moving on to varying sizes of triangles. Everything builds onto itself so there’s no need for sewing at the end. Select a self striping yarn to recreate the colorful look of the original design.

Designer: Kristin Omdahl
Yarn: Red Heart Boutique Treasure (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Double Diamonds Lapghan

Bulky weight yarn is a good option for lap blanket knitting patterns with lots of texture, because it offers excellent stitch definition. It also contributes to the blankets density to make heavier and warm blankets. This pattern uses knit and purl stitches over a 16 row repeat to create an interlocking network of solid diamonds and diamond outlines.

Designer: Nancy Lekx for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cherub Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Tonal Cables Lapghan

I am obsessed with this gorgeous square lap blanket design. The subdued color palette and the gentle transitions between colors really give this blanket a calming feel. Special techniques for this design include cablework, twisted stitches, and mosaic colorwork.

Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Caron One Pound and
Caron Jumbo Ombre (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Checkerboard Lapghan

You don’t have to be a fan of checkers to appreciate the timeless beauty of this geometric lapghan design. The pattern calls for just knit and purl stitches so it’s very beginner-friendly. It is worked in strips to reduce the amount of color changes. At the end, all the strips are sewn together to form the checkerboard pattern.

Designer: Marilyn Coleman
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Weekend TV Lapghan

If it doesn’t get very hot where you live then you will probably want to find lacy lap blanket knitting patterns. The one row repeat of this pattern is easy to memorize so this blanket is perfect both for knitting in front of the TV and then for curling up with in front of the TV after you’re done making it. You’ll be using knit and slip stitches along with yarn overs for the lace stitch pattern.

Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Stadium Lapghan

A lapghan is the perfect size blanket to keep in your car for when you attend chilly outdoor sporting events like football and soccer. This design is great because it lets you show which team you are rooting for through what colors you decide to make it in. The 16 garter stitch squares are made with a self striping yarn so you can skip the manual color changes (and all the extra yarn tails that would result!).

Designer: Julie Hines for I Like Knitting
Yarn: Red Heart Team Spirit (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Lapghan with Pockets

Now here’s a really clever lapghan design complete with handy dandy pockets. The smooth stockinette stitch blanket is accented with reverse stockinette stitch pockets made in a contrasting color. I could always use a couple more pockets in my life!

Designer: Cindy Grosch for Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Hometown (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Brioche Lapghan

If you have been around the knitting block a time or two, then why not show off your skills and challenge yourself with this stunning brioche masterpiece? Special techniques for this design include syncopated brioche and the bee stitch. It looks so luxurious, cozy, and oh-so-squishy!

Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Forever Fleece (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sugar Pie Lap Blanket

This might just become your new go-to lapghan design. The pattern is worked double stranded using just knit and purl stitches over an easy to remember 4 row repeat. It’s the perfect balance of easy and interesting that you will find yourself reaching for again and again.

Designer: Alice’s Embrace
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mae Ribbed Blanket

Wool and acrylic yarn are often used for lap blanket knitting patterns, but don’t count cotton out just yet! This durable fiber is a good choice for making lapghans that can withstand the test of time. In this design, broken rib stitch provides fabulous vertical ridges of texture that bisect the bold horizontal stripes.

Designer: Mama in a Stitch
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Wheelchair Throw

You’ll keep both your hands and brain engaged with this exciting mix of cablework, lacework, and icord edging. The best part is that the blanket has 2 pockets to squirrel away all the things you might want to have at your fingertips like your phone or a pen and a note pad.

Designer: Jacqueline W. Hoyle
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Colorspun Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Final Thoughts on Lap Blanket Knitting Patterns

With these 26 lap blanket knitting patterns at your fingertips, you are on the fast track to comfy town! If you have never knit a lap blanket before, then you really owe it to yourself to try one out and see what all the fuss is about. 

Don’t forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this blog post or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns. 

I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3

Happy Knitting!